A new University of Virginia health analysis shows a spike in kratom-related calls to poison centers across the country. Between 2015 and 2025, the number of reports increased by more than 1,200%, with a corresponding increase in the number of hospitalizations.
Poison centers recorded a peak of 3,434 cases in 2025, up from just 258 cases in 2015. Researchers say this rapid increase (including a significant spike last year) is related to the expansion of kratom availability and the intensification of new products.
Hospitalizations and deaths skyrocket
Serious health risks associated with kratom are also on the rise. Hospitalizations due to kratom alone increased by more than 1,150% in 10 years, from 43 in 2015 to 538 in 2025. When kratom was used in combination with other substances, such as illicit drugs and antidepressants, hospitalizations increased by almost 1,300%, from 40 to 549.
During the study period, there were 233 deaths related to kratom use. Of those, 184 contained multiple substances.
“The data reflect an alarming trend,” said researcher Chris Holstage, MD, director of UVA Health’s Blue Ridge Poison Center. “This trend seen in national data is also playing out in local clinical settings, with more patients coming to UVA Health with serious complications related to kratom products.”
What is Kratom and how is it used
Kratom is derived from the leaves of a tropical evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. Traditionally, people have chewed, crushed, and used the leaves in teas to relieve pain and boost mood. This substance acts as an energy-increasing stimulant and as a sedative, helping users become more calm and reduce anxiety.
It is also used for pain management, and some people turn to kratom to alleviate opioid withdrawal symptoms. (Its effectiveness in reducing opioid craving has not been fully evaluated.)
Unregulated products raise safety concerns
In the United States, kratom is widely sold in a much more potent form than the natural leaf. These include tablets and extracts that may contain undisclosed ingredients. These products are unregulated, so consumers cannot know what they are ingesting. Kratom itself is also associated with possible liver damage.
To better understand this trend, UVA Health researchers led by Rita Farrar, Ph.D., MPH, PharmD, analyzed kratom-related calls reported to the National Toxic Substances Data System. The results showed a steady increase from 2015 to 2019, then a flattening from 2020 to 2024, and a sharp increase in 2025.
Who is using Kratom and why are experts concerned?
Over a 10-year period, more than 14,400 kratom exposures were reported. Many of the cases involved men, especially men in their 20s and 30s. However, there has also been a significant increase in reports among people aged 40 to 59, indicating more widespread use across age groups.
Researchers say this trend is concerning. By 2025, 60% of incidents involving multiple substances will result in a “severe medical outcome” and about half will require hospitalization.
Based on these findings, experts are calling for closer monitoring of kratom products and increased public education. They emphasize that kratom use can lead to serious and even fatal consequences, especially when combined with alcohol, drugs, or illegal substances.
“There has been a noticeable increase in kratom-related products being sold in the U.S. market,” Holstege said. “We want the public to be aware that these products contain varying concentrations of chemicals, such as mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which have complex pharmacological effects and can potentially lead to drug interactions and adverse effects on the human body.”
